Harbor of Heartbreak

Chapter 4

Fresh out of the hospital, my lungs still raw from the smoke, I collapsed just as the fumes overwhelmed me.

Through the haze, I heard Alexander's voice, frantic:

"Claire!"

Servants tried to hold him back.

"Sir, it's too dangerous! Wait for security!"

"Get out of my way! Claire's still inside!"

He charged in, but instead of me, he found Natalie.

"Alex, help, "

Without hesitation, he scooped her up and bolted, not even glancing in my direction.

Half an hour later, after ensuring Natalie was safe and sound, Alexander searched the mansion top to bottom.

I was gone.

That night, at the airport, I mailed off a package before boarding a flight to England.

Just before takeoff, a message from Alexander lit up my screen:

[I don't have time for games. Natalie's prenatal checkup is at 10 AM tomorrow. Come along to get your lungs checked.]

I didn't reply. I removed the SIM card and powered off my phone.

Alexander, from now on, our paths won't cross again.

The next day, at the hospital:

"Alex, is our baby okay?"

Natalie's eyes brimmed with tears.

He pulled her into a gentle embrace.

"The doctor says everything's fine. The baby's healthy."

"That's a relief. You've been so quiet since we arrived... I was worried."

Her words made him pause.

His thoughts drifted to the image of me, standing amidst the flames, eyes cold and distant.

He checked his phone again.

Still no response.

In the past, no matter how he treated me, I always answered his calls.

Now... silence.

He scoffed inwardly.

Playing hard to get?

He escorted Natalie to lunch, then home, before heading to the office.

Upon arrival, his assistant approached.

"Mr. Crawford has returned and called for an urgent meeting in Conference Room 1."

Alexander nodded, then added,

"Also, order some of the latest designer bags and jewelry."

"For Miss Reed?"

He hesitated.

"No. Send them to the Sullivan estate."

He assumed I had returned to my family's old home.

A week later, late at night, Alexander returned home after a long day.

On the living room sofa, a slender figure in a silk nightgown lay curled up.

"Claire, I've told you not to wait up..."

As he approached, he realized it was Natalie.

She looked up, eyes glistening.

"Alex, your wife still hasn't returned. I've sent her so many messages, but she ignores them all. Maybe... I should move out?"

He frowned, pulling her into a hug.

"Don't overthink. This is your home now."

Later, alone on the balcony, he lit a cigarette, a habit he'd long abandoned.

He scrolled through his contacts, stopping at my number.

His thumb hovered over the call button.

Instead, he sent a message:

[Claire, tomorrow is Mr. Crawford's 80th birthday. Don't cause any scenes that might upset Natalie or the baby.]

On the day of the celebration, Alexander arrived with Natalie, the picture of a devoted couple.

Mr. Crawford approached.

"Where's Claire?"

Alexander forced a smile.

"She's been busy preparing a special gift. I let her rest and join us later."

Hours passed.

No sign of me.

Growing uneasy, he stepped aside and dialed my number.

[The number you have dialed is not in service...]

He tried again.

Same result.